Dear Mr. Jorgensen: Your e- mail is slightly cryptic so that I'm not sure I fully understand its thrust. I maintain that most auctions are good things in as much as they allow for a redistribution of collectables. At times such collectables move beyond their country of origin. That private collections are private is a tautology which needs little comment. That some individuals share their collections and knowledge more than others is too well known to warrant discussion. Some countries regard very important art and other objects as patrimony and prevent their export-as far as I know the USA has no such policy, in fact there is no import duty on antiques (objects over a century old), facilitating their importation. I know of no export duty on vintage bikes, either. All this permits and facilitates collecting and selling-including collecting foreign made vintage steel bikes. you doubtlessly know that many European bikes were manufactured for export in any event. Whether they are exported to Japan or Australia, etc. matters not. It may also interest you to know that most collectors maintain their collections, be they of bikes or whatever, for a period of not more than twenty years or so. Therefore, there will always be a turnover of collections-including vintage bikes. As far as my own humble collection is concerned, I would be happy to share photos of it with you-I do plan to eventually post some photos on a web-site but need my son's help in preparing the digital photos. As far as the Speedbicyle site is concerned, I know it well and have done business with Stephan. Although I'm not sure whether its primary purpose is educational or commercial, it's excellent and very informative. I am also very very fond of Ray Dobbin's site which I regard as a paradigm of an informative website. Ray himself has selflessly shared a endless amount of his knowledge with me. There are also excellent Japanese vintage bike sites! Furthermore, I maintain that a properly designed guide book (or web-site, etc.) with prices, would facilitate and promote vintage bike collecting. Much exchange of bikes (and all other goods) now takes place via the Internet, probably more will do so in future-such is the nature of progress. You are correct that when guide books (or Internet sites, etc.) are published they invite both praise and criticism, such is human nature. But this interchange promotes knowledge and establishes new frontiers. Critics are not correct when they fear that such publications will, per force, increase the price of all vintage bikes. Many bikes may decrease in price and the prices of others, not previously well appreciated, will increase. This will provide fertile ground for collectors. Speculation in vintage bikes might increase, or decrease, but with more reliable information at hand both the novice and experienced collector would have access to information now in very few hands. Please receive the regards of, George Hollenberg, MD Westport, CT, USA
George Hollenberg MD
CT, USA